This-N-That
An Industry First
In 2007, the city of Sparks, Nev., selected 13 synthetic FieldTurf fields for its new look at Golden Eagle Regional Park & Sports Complex, making it the largest single purchase of artificial turf from one organization.
The park is located on 140 acres east of Wingfield Springs and south of Vista Boulevard. Among the 13 fields are six softball fields, two Babe Ruth League baseball fields, two youth baseball/softball fields, a stadium-size soccer/football field and two multi-purpose fields. The 13 fields total 1.4 million square feet of turf in what has become one of the more impressive sports park facilities in the southwest.
In April 2008, ceremonies marked the opening of the park.
“We are very proud of the Golden Eagle Regional Park,” said City Manager Shaun D. Carey. “The facility and all it has to offer will become the standard for regional parks, and will serve to accommodate the diverse needs of sports enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels for years to come.”
The fields will not only save 129 acre feet of water a year--enough to provide water to 428 single family homes--but will double programmable hours, or use of the fields, as well as provide a safer playing surface for youth and adults. Hundreds of studies have been completed to discover the truth about any potential risks of artificial turf. Government health ministries and environmental bodies around the world have commissioned extensive research. The results confirm that the materials used in the construction of synthetic turf fields pose absolutely no threat to the environment. For more information, visit www.fieldturf.com.
Advice Appreciated
Kim,
The timing of your article is impeccable (Circle The Wagons, PRB September). We are currently looking at how our city can be structured to be more efficient and effective.
If you have more detailed information on this, I would really appreciate knowing where I can find it. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you,
Ray Towry
Ephrata, Wash.
‘Build’ Drums Up Support
Ron:
Great article this month (Build Together, PRB September)! You've hit the nail on the head.You should send that article to the presidential candidates, the major news services and Congress.
Peter Waugh
Ossipee NH
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Ron,
Great article, as usual, you have a great insight into our country's situation (Build Together, PRB September). One flaw with your “Hold yourself to a higher standard” though—85 percent (estimate) of the politicians are lawyers, and I think we can agree thatmost lawyers’ common sense is not exactly in-line with the local butcher or barber. I believe this to be a huge conflict of interest and an amendment to our constitution should be passed stating no lawyers can hold a political position.I would hazard a guess that many of the laws written today are authored with the future of the author's law practice in mind.
[This is] just my humble opinion. Thanks for your articles, I really enjoy your work.
Jeff Morrison
Project Development Coordinator
Santa Clarita, Calif.
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Double Play Program Gives Away $100,000 For Playgrounds
Londonderry, N.H.--Organic yogurt maker Stonyfield Farm is teaming with KaBOOM!, the national non-profit dedicated to bringing play back to the lives of children, to provide places to play for two deserving schools or youth organizations.
One winner of the Stonyfield KaBOOM! Double Play Program will win a $50,000 grant to build or improve a playground, skatepark, basketball court, sports field or other type of play space. That school or organization will then help select a second $50,000 grant recipient from a list of KaBOOM! applicants, chosen on the basis of financial need.
The Double Play Program is being promoted via Stonyfield Farm yogurt lids. Schools, clubs and other organizations can collect specially-marked 6-ounce and 32-ounce yogurt lids and mail them with an entry form to Stonyfield Farm. The group that collects the most lids will be the winner.
The program ends Dec. 31, with winners announced in February, 2009. Complete rules and entry forms can be found at www.stonyfield.com.
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Calendar
December
3-6 Athletic Business Conference & Expo, San Antonio, Texas—Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center; www.athleticbusinessconference.com
8-11 Ohio Turfgrass Conference & Trade Show, Columbus, Ohio—Greater Columbus Convention Center; info@ohioturfgrass.org
2009
January
4-6 WESTERN Nursery and Landscape Association Annual Meeting and Trade Show, Overland Park, Kan.—Overland Park Convention Center; www.wnla.org
13-17 Sports Turf Managers Association Conference & Exhibition, San Jose, Calif.--San José McEnery Convention Center; www.stma.org
21-23 Indiana Park & Recreation Association State Conference, Indianapolis, Ind.—Bloomington Convention Center
25-27 Louisiana Recreation & Park Association Annual Conference, Gonzales, La
26-29 Kansas Recreation and Park Association Conference and Trade Show, Hutchinson, Kan?—Grand Prairie Hotel and Convention Center
February
6 Golf Course Builders Association of America, New Orleans, La.—New Orleans Morial Convention Center; www.gcbaa.org.
9-11 Arkansas Recreation and Parks Association Annual Conference and Trade show, Paragould, Ark.; www.arkarpa.org